[Vision2020] Professor-Student Romance

[Rosemary Huskey]

Thanks for the info, Ron.  This is the policy I remember from my UI days.  It makes me shake my head in wonderment that Bruce Pitman chose to sanitize the rules for the benefit of the media.  Dr. Spin probably thought he could fool the reporter and the public, but certainly not those of us familiar with the Faculty Staff handbook.

 

“The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reports police could not confirm if the relationship between the two was strictly professional, though Idaho's Dean of Students Bruce Pitman noted there was a university policy that bars faculty members from entering into romantic relationships with students.”    http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/128240113.html

 

His deliberately inaccurate statement suggests that the University of Idaho cranked up the propaganda machine and that the ever ready magic cover–up dust was drifting through the air as soon as these sad events developed.  This tragedy raises many questions.  How is it that Dr. Bustamonte’s colleagues, all of whom are professionally trained and well acquainted with mental health issues <http://www.dnews.com/breaking-news/1793/> , failed to recognize and initiate an intervention that might have prevented outcome? How is it that student evaluations (many of whom may have commented on the erratic behavior of their instructor) were apparently ignored?  The department is not so large that romantic entanglements could have escaped the notice of other students, staff, and faculty.  Did his colleagues treat his behavior, which was not limited to a single relationship <http://old.lmtribune.com/filehub/files/Homicide%20affidavit-1314222739.pdf>  ,  with a nudge, nudge, wink, wink none-of-our- business attitude ?  Please note Ron’s comments below -  bolding is mine.  

 

“Some years ago the administration wanted an outright ban, but it couldn't pass Faculty Council. It followed another messy incident that fortunately didn't lead to homicide.”

 

It appears that the University of Idaho administration and the former department colleagues of Ernesto Bustamante  have much to explain, although, it is likely they never will be officially accountable.  Who protected him – and why?  I have never wished more hardily that I am wrong, but frankly, over the years those of us who understood university politics know only too well how adroit the leadership can be at blaming the victim, shedding crocodile tears, and slipping ever so quietly away from any responsibility.  

Rose Huskey

 

I

From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Ron Force
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 7:05 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Professor-Student Romance

 


Here's the UI's official policy. Some years ago the administration wanted an outright ban, but it couldn't pass Faculty Council. It followed another messy incident that fortunately didn't lead to homicide.

Consensual Romantic or Sexual Relationships

Faculty-Student Relationships
Because the relationship between faculty members and students is central to the academic mission of the University of Idaho, it is essential to establish that the standard of expected conduct in a relationship between any faculty member and a student of that faculty member goes beyond the proscription of sexual harassment as defined in section 3220 of the “Faculty-Staff Handbook.” Consensual romantic or sexual relationships should not be allowed to interfere with the academic integrity of the faculty-student relationship.

In the university's view, the faculty-student relationship is comparable to that of other professionals and their clients. Codes of ethics for most professional associations forbid professional-client sexual relationships. On this basis, a consensual romantic or sexual relationship between any faculty member and his or her student, while not expressly forbidden, is generally deemed unwise.

Relationships that may appear to be consensual, even to the parties involved, are influenced by the position of authority held by the faculty member that is inherent to the faculty-student relationship. 

It is generally deemed equally unwise for a student to enter into a consensual romantic or sexual relationship with his or her professor.

Supervisor-Subordinate Relationships
Similarly, consensual romantic or sexual relationships between a supervisor and his or her subordinates in the work place are generally considered to be unwise. Supervisory relationships include, but are not limited to, those between an administrator, coach, adviser, program director, counselor, teaching assistant, or residential staff member and his or her subordinates.

If you have a question about this policy or feel you are a victim of sexual harassment, please call the Director of Human Rights, Access and Inclusion, 885-4212. 

 

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